ULTIMATELY separated by 0.2 of a second, Camilla Speirs and Sam Watson took the result right to the wire in the Castleacres Insurance Brokers CCI2*. In the tightest finish not only of the weekend, but possibly in Irish international eventing history, the duo remained on the same score from pillar to post. Riding BT Cloud Nine and Imperial Sky, they both opened on a winning mark of 42.3, before adding an identical 1.2 time penalties in the country.

According to Equiratings, both were likely to have a fence down in the final phase, but jumping immaculately, each were faultless throughout. Confusion then reigned as to who was the winner, but having consulted the FEI rule book, it was finally disclosed that, having produced the fastest show jumping round, the honours fell to Speirs. This was an emotional and deserved victory for the Kildare rider, who has nursed the talented son of Golden Master through serious injury and subsequent recuperation. “Following his injury at home, he now has five pins in his fetlock and pastern,” explained Speirs.